Bendtner doubtful for Danish opener, coach says

Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has been all but ruled out of Denmark’s upcoming World Cup opener against the Netherlands, Denmark coach Morten Olsen said on Friday.

Denmark takes on the Group E favourites on Monday.

“To be realistic he can’t play against the Netherlands, but we hope he can be fit for the coming matches,” Olsen told Danish broadcaster

TV 2 Sports just before the Danish squad began Friday’s training session in Knysna, South Africa.

Bendtner, 22, is suffering from a groin injury. But he has not completely ruled himself out of Monday’s match, according to Danish online website

sporten.dk .

Olsen, however, has said that only players who are 100 per cent fit will start in Denmark’s World Cup matches.

Of the team’s other questionable players, defender Patrick Mitiliga rested on Friday but was expected to be fit for Monday, as are Palermo defender Simon Kjaer, who is nursing a knee injury, and goalkeeper Thomas Srensen.